It is often said that geniuses are the ones most likely to fall on the battlefield.
After all, talent alone does not equal strength.
Before potential can be fully transformed into power, such individuals are often targeted and eliminated.
However, strictly speaking, Uchiha Hayashi had already moved far beyond the realm of a so-called genius.
On the battlefield of the Rain Country, he had personally slain dozens of enemy Jonin.
With such achievements, he no longer stood among promising youths, but firmly within the ranks of true combat veterans.
Even so, there were still clear differences among the strong.
Against ordinary Jonin, victory did not come effortlessly, but it was no longer truly difficult either.
At his current level, Uchiha Hayashi stood slightly above elite Jonin.
If he faced someone on Orochimaru's level, escape would still be possible, but victory would be uncertain.
In a direct confrontation, his chances of survival would likely be no higher than forty percent.
And if he were to face a true Kage-level powerhouse alone, such as the Third Kazekage, that battle would undoubtedly be a one-way path to death.
From this perspective, the Sand Village's current operation held a very high probability of success, provided absolute secrecy was maintained and Konoha reinforcements did not arrive in time.
Yet Uchiha Hayashi remained completely unaware that danger was already closing in on him.
The past half month had been unusually peaceful.
During this time, whenever he had free moments, he either accepted B-rank missions, ventured deeper into the edge battlefield to gather intelligence, or coordinated with Shikaku and the others to eliminate scattered Sand shinobi.
These fast, efficient operations steadily weakened the enemy's outer defenses.
And on the rare occasions when things were truly calm, he would even grant his team a full day of rest.
After all, maintaining constant high-intensity tension was never sustainable.
Thanks to Uchiha Hayashi's overwhelming efficiency, every mission during this period was completed with absolute success.
As a result, after continuous accumulation, Taki Toru's merit points had finally reached the threshold required to apply for the Chunin evaluation.
She only needed to complete one final B-rank mission.
Standing before the mission reception tent, Uchiha Hayashi smiled and said,
"Then let me congratulate you in advance."
"Ahahaha, that is still too early," Taki Toru waved her hand shyly.
"I still have to finish today's mission first.
But once the war here is over, I will treat everyone to yakiniku."
Her face was filled with excitement.
Unlike many others, she had joined the battlefield from the very beginning of the conflict.
Her older brother, Taki Yu, had already become a Chunin long ago.
However, because she served as a medical ninja and spent much of her time in support roles, she had only just now accumulated enough merit.
The long-awaited promotion was finally within reach.
"That is right," Taki Yu said with a warm smile as he gently rubbed his sister's head.
"It always felt awkward letting the captain treat us so many times.
This time it will be Toru's turn.
After that, I will handle the next one."
For some reason, Uchiha Hayashi felt a faint sense of unease rise in his chest.
Why did this scene feel unsettling?
He brushed the feeling aside and quickly said,
"Alright, I will go choose the mission."
Before the siblings could continue their exchange, he turned and walked straight into the mission reception tent.
Inside, the number of available missions had already dwindled.
Because he spent slightly longer on the road, most of the easier B-rank tasks had already been taken.
These types of missions were prized for their balance of safety and reward, making them highly competitive.
After carefully searching for some time, Uchiha Hayashi finally selected one and exited the tent.
"What kind of mission is it?" the others asked.
"Verification of Sand Village troop deployment intelligence," he replied, handing over the scroll.
"Huh?" Taki Toru blinked.
"Does that mean we have to charge straight into the Sand Village base?"
Uchiha Hayashi gave her a calm look.
"Why would we do that?
We just need to capture a small Sand squad and extract the information using the Sharingan.
Relax, this is my specialty."
"Oh, I see."
After glancing at the scroll a few more times, Taki Toru lost interest and handed it back.
"Alright, everyone, let's move out."
---
After entering the edge battlefield, the squad's movement speed was far faster than when they had first begun taking missions together.
Continuous combat had refined everyone's abilities.
After crossing an extended stretch of desert terrain, the team arrived at the true edge of the battlefield.
This area had once served as neutral ground, but due to Sunagakure's defeats on the main front and their inability to reclaim lost territory, the battle lines had steadily shifted closer to the Land of Wind.
If this continued, then within two more years, the battlefield would fully shift into Wind Country.
If that happened, this prolonged war would likely reach its conclusion.
At present, Sunagakure's situation was far from optimistic.
"We have crossed more than half of the edge zone," Uchiha Hayashi said, slowing his pace.
"Everyone stay alert from here on."
He inhaled slowly.
A faint metallic scent lingered in the air.
Blood.
Fresh blood.
Someone had died here not long ago.
Whether it was a Konoha shinobi or Sand shinobi was still impossible to tell.
As the team's reconnaissance specialist, Himeji activated her Byakugan and began scanning the surroundings.
After several seconds, she pointed toward a rocky slope ahead.
"There are two Sand shinobi.
One is a Jonin and the other a Chunin.
Both appear to be badly injured."
Uchiha Hayashi nodded calmly.
"Prey that delivers itself does not get refused.
We move."
After roughly half an hour of silent pursuit, Himeji, who was advancing slightly ahead, suddenly raised her hand in warning.
"The targets are two hundred meters ahead.
They are hiding inside a cave and resting."
Compared to other sensing methods, the Byakugan did not possess the vast coverage of large-scale summoning surveillance, but in terms of precision, it was unmatched.
What others perceived vaguely, Himeji saw with perfect clarity.
Uchiha Hayashi dismissed irrelevant thoughts and began issuing orders through precise hand signs.
"There are only two targets and both are injured.
Yu and I will eliminate them.
Toru and Himeji stay here.
Himeji, monitor the surroundings.
If any Sand shinobi move in this direction, alert us immediately."
A wounded enemy could still be dangerous.
Allowing Taki Toru to enter direct combat would only increase risk.
Leaving Himeji behind ensured that no unexpected reinforcements would trap them within the mountainous terrain.
After final preparations and checking their equipment, Uchiha Hayashi and Taki Yu moved swiftly toward the cave.